Brief
Apple acqui‑hires former NotebookLM team’s Huxe AI startup
The deal, disclosed in the EU Digital Markets Act database, lets Apple hire Huxe employees and license its technology.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Apple has entered an acqui‑hire agreement with Huxe AI, Inc., the startup created by three former Google NotebookLM developers, according to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act transparency database.
What happened
Huxe, launched in June 2025 after its founders – project lead Raiza Martin, designer Jason Spielman and engineer Stephen Hughes – left Google, offered a personalized AI audio app that turned emails, calendars and news feeds into spoken briefings. After a $4.6 million funding round in September 2025, the service shut down on 28 May 2026. The EU database shows Apple filed the acqui‑hire on 9 June 2026, giving it the right to make employment offers to selected Huxe staff and a non‑exclusive licence to Huxe’s intellectual‑property assets.
What was said
9to5Mac noted that the arrangement is “not an outright acquisition” but a common acqui‑hire structure where Apple gains talent and technology without buying the whole business.
How it came about
The move follows Apple’s recent push into AI‑driven services, such as the iOS 27.2 beta health‑app updates and expanded Siri capabilities reported in earlier Felo News pieces.
Key facts
- Apple signed an acqui‑hire deal with Huxe AI on 9 June 2026. (9to5mac.com)
- Huxe was founded by former Google NotebookLM developers Raiza Martin, Jason Spielman and Stephen Hughes. (9to5mac.com)
- The deal allows Apple to hire Huxe employees and license its IP rights. (9to5mac.com)
- Huxe shut down its audio‑briefing service on 28 May 2026. (9to5mac.com)
Sources
- [1] 9to5mac.com — originally reported as “Apple acqui-hires AI startup founded by former NotebookLM developers”
